Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Raymond~ Very interesting idea! I would defiantly participate as long as it was worth my time to do so. I don't necessarily mean that I would have to be paid to do it, just that there would be something in it for me! I, like you, enjoy teaching more than actually building. I think that as long as there was a continued interest then it would be a novel idea. Maybe a call to Joe D. at RBI might
Forum: rodboard

Hey Mike!!!! Can't help you on the lathes since i have an old 50's era Craftsman. I do however have Andy Dear's DVD on turning handles and seats. You are more than welcome to check it out sometime or just buy your own. You ought to come over for the rodbuilding class I'm putting on later this winter.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks guys for this post! I have been on the fence with these blanks and actually called Merrick to confirm the "condition" of these blanks when they were first advertised. I don't remember what was actually said in that conversation but I do remember that to me at least, it seemed like a bum deal. I have been watching this and other posts with great interest and when I checked my emai
Forum: rodboard

A good set of cork reamers!!!!
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! John
Forum: rodboard

I am in need of some opinions please. I am building two rods for a local universities' bass fishing club. As such, I/they do not know what size reels will be used now or in the future on the spinning rod. So, would I be better off using a standard guide spacing set up or set teh spin rod up with a mid sized reel (2500-3000)? Or, can I get a generalization from teh spacing charts for the butt g
Forum: rodboard

I have an old (circa 1950's) Craftsman lathe that came with a self centering 3 jaw chuck. I watched @#$%& for a few weeks and finally won a matching (3/4 16tpi) 4 jaw independently adjustable chuck for around $50. Since this purchase I have not used the 3 jaw chuck, ever. On the face of the 4 jaw there are alignment rings so that you can compare the relationship of all four jaw with a quick glanc
Forum: rodboard

Terry My experience with dyeing cork is somewhat mixed. It seems that natural or burl cork is not very absorbent. The best results I have come up with is to shape and sand to the desired specifications. Then stain the cork as you see fit. If you want alternating colors then just tape off the area not to be covered with painters tape. If you find that the stain is too bright then you can lightl
Forum: rodboard

Try here: John
Forum: rodboard

John
Forum: rodboard

As others have suggested, Neal is still open for business! I ordered one of his clearance blanks last week and received top notch service! John
Forum: rodboard

Try backing your sandpaper with a wooden block. This will help shape everything more evenly. I also use a flat wood file (coarse,medium and fine). With a little practice and the right tools and you will turning out quality pieces very soon!
Forum: rodboard

I placed my first order with Karen today. All I can say is, "color me impressed"! Customer service is the name of the game with Bingham! If you haven't ordered from them yet, you should! John
Forum: rodboard

Mike~ Email sent.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks guys. Your posts were along the lines of what I was rolling around in my head. I think that I will inform my customers that the blank manufacturer has the last say of what the warranty covers. So if the manufacturer says the break was due to abuse then the customer will have to pay for the replacement/shipping/labor to put the rod back together if they so choose. Otherwise, I will tell
Forum: rodboard

I use the 1/8" parting tool to establish a "close" depth at the shoulder then use a small round nose scraper to reduce the barrel portion. I may need to use the parting tool to dress up where the scraper could not fully get but for what I do this works well enough. John
Forum: rodboard

How do you guys that sell to customers determine if a broken rod was due to blank failure vs customer abuse? Just taking an educated guess here but I would say that a failure of the blank would result in shattered fibers/no well defined clean broken edges around the area of the break or a collapse of the blank wall. John
Forum: rodboard

Hey Matt!!!! Don't know if you remember or not, but you are the guy who got me interested in rodbuilding! I saw your post on RS about the spinning rod you made in 2005 and asked you some questions. Glad that you were so nice in sharing rodbuilding info. I may have never even started if it wasn't for you! Thanks again! John Bunner
Forum: rodboard

I use rubbing alcohol after final shaping/sanding while the grip is still turning. You could also use a mild detergent (Ivory dish soap) mixed with warm water and an old toothbrush. Don't forget to seal the cork after cleaning using U-40's Cork Sealer. This will keep those grips looking new for many seasons to come! John
Forum: rodboard

I visited the Grandt Rods booth at the Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show. I saw the trophies he won and when I asked if they were going to High Point they said "What's in High Point?". I told them about the ICRBE and they actually said that they were already Rod Building champions and that there was nothing for them there. Thats fine with me. Overall I'd say their arrogance was on
Forum: rodboard

Very nice work Marco!!!!!! Nice to have you here!!! Are you having custom parts machined for you? John
Forum: rodboard

Mike~ Nice to see you on the board!!! I did a search for "rayon thread" and came up with this. Hope it helps you! John
Forum: rodboard

Nice work Chuck!!!! I'd like to know how you did this as well. I wonder if it is stupid simple or a little more involved. I'm sure it will be an interesting read anyhow. John
Forum: rodboard